BEHIND THE PLATE -- Family fare at Wilmington eatery

By Betsy Levinsonwimington@wickedlocal.com

Thursday

May 25, 2017 at 5:54 AMMay 25, 2017 at 12:12 PM

Mohammad Rahimi is owner and chef of the Modash Café and Eatery in Wilmington, along with his two children, Darya Rahimi and Shawn Wedge, who participate fully in the growing business. Rahimi recently paused in his busy schedule to talk about Modash, and his hopes and dreams for its future, and his family.

What made you start cooking?

Rahimi said he bought an existing restaurant and opened under its new name in January, 2014. But it might not have turned out that way, he said. With a 1979 business degree from Bentley College, the restaurant business was not on the horizon. Still, a job during college at a pizza place seemed an easy fit and he stuck with it.

"I tried retiring in 2006," said Rahimi, "but it didn’t work out. Life does funny things."

What's the secret to your success?

He said the secret to his success is the freshness of the food he offers.

"Nothing is packaged," said Rahimi. "It is all fresh food that we cook ourselves."

What do you find most challenging about your job?

Keeping sufficient staff.

"We could use two more people," he said, adding that the six he has are just right, but he started staying open in the evenings and Saturdays at the beginning of the year, and needs the help. "The hours are long," said Rahimi.

What's your favorite item on the menu?

One of the standard big sellers is the "all inclusive." It’s a gut-busting plate full of bacon, sausage, eggs, French toast, French fries, and juice.

Catering is a specialty, accounting for about 35 to 40 percent of his business. Favorites for the 9-5 crowd include paninis and salads. He sells about 40-50 salads daily, along with 40 or so paninis.

Do you cook when you are home?

He’s rarely, if ever, home for mealtime. Unless he’s having a party, where he will do the cooking.

What’s new on the menu?

There are the popular daily specials that are not on the menu and change every week. In the specials category, Rahimi offers a salad, a burger, a rice bowl and a meal. "It really took off," he said.

There are 87 regular items on the menu, a variety of sandwiches, salads and breakfast foods.